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A Multi-detection Assay for Malaria Transmitting Mosquitoes
Published on: February 28, 2015
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Loop-mediated isothermal DNA amplification for asymptomatic malaria detection in challenging field settings:
Elisa Serra-Casas1, Paulo Manrique2, Xavier C Ding3
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.
Plos One
|October 6, 2017
Summary
Loop-mediated isothermal DNA amplification (LAMP) offers a viable point-of-care (POC) method for malaria detection in remote areas. While effective, implementation in challenging field settings like riverine communities requires addressing logistical hurdles for optimal malaria screening.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Tropical Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Loop-mediated isothermal DNA amplification (LAMP) presents a promising approach for point-of-care (POC) molecular detection of asymptomatic malaria.
- Limited evidence exists regarding the feasibility of LAMP for population-level malaria screening in remote, isolated field settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the technical performance and operational feasibility of LAMP for asymptomatic malaria detection in diverse communities of the Peruvian Amazon.
- To assess the impact of POC-LAMP implementation on case management turnaround times in a resource-limited riverine setting.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1167 individuals from terrestrial and riverine communities.
- LAMP technical performance was assessed against real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) in 503 samples.
- Operational feasibility was evaluated through field-suitability parameters and a pilot POC-LAMP assay.
Main Results:
- LAMP demonstrated a sensitivity of 91.8% and specificity of 91.9%, with higher accuracy in road-screened samples compared to riverine samples.
- Successful integration of LAMP into field logistics was achieved.
- POC-LAMP pilot reduced malaria case management turnaround time from 12-24 hours to under 5 hours.
- Haemolytic specimens in riverine settings may have impacted LAMP performance.
Conclusions:
- LAMP-based malaria diagnosis is deployable outside traditional laboratories, achieving performance comparable to qPCR.
- Scaling up LAMP in remote areas, particularly riverine communities, necessitates addressing logistical and environmental challenges for effective implementation.
